BY RACHEL DOVE
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

WARFIELD — A male subject caught on surveillance video breaking in and committing a theft at the Warfield Dairy Bar is being sought by the Kentucky State Police.

According to Beverly Grace, manager of the popular restaurant and convenience store, a male subject known to the employees busted the front door of the business at 3:30 a.m. Monday with what appeared to be a hammer.

Once inside, the male damaged a quarter push machine containing hundreds of dollars in quarters, currency and other prizes. Items taken are estimated to be valued at $500 to $1,000, and the machine itself is now inoperable and will cost in the vicinity of $3,000-$4,000 to replace.

“It’s bad enough to have a crime like this committed, but to see on video that the robbery was committed by someone from right here in our community that frequents our business, someone we have always been nice to, is very disheartening,” said Grace.

When employees reported to work Monday morning and discovered the damaged door and the theft, a 911 call was placed and a trooper with Kentucky State Police Pikeville Post 9 responded to the scene and was assisted by the Martin County Sheriff’s Department.

The officers reviewed video surveillance from outside and inside the business and employees quickly identified the suspect. An arrest warrant was obtained and a search for the male is underway. If anyone is familiar with the suspect pictured in the photo and knows his location, you are asked to call the KSP at 606-433-7711 or the MCSD at 606-298-2828.